PHOTO GALLERY - Clark Historic Landmark Site, Rural Roanoke, Randolph County, AL

CLARK HISTORIC LANDMARK SITE ROANOKE, ALABAMA

A Guided Digital Tour Of The Lives, Legacies and Works Of Wilkie And Hattie Lee (Peters) Clark as presented by their offspring: their only daughter, Mrs. Charlotte A. Clark-Frieson; grandson, Wilkie S. Frieson, and Granddaughter, Je'Lynn M. Frieson.

AN ALABAMA HISTORIC LANDMARK SITE

Our photo album

In this album you will find a collection of some of the best photos that help us to tell the story of the early years Of Clark Funeral Home. This album shows (in no particular order) all of the people who the Clarks enlisted, to work with them in their funeral home business. Most of them were influential people in Randolph County, who had a lot of friends and would be able to help the Clarks promote the Funeral Home. They were intelligent, and each had a special talent that would be useful in the business. The other important thing about many of these individuals is that during that particular time period, most blacks in the community desperately wanted to advance, but many of them didn't know what they needed to do or how to become activists. It was here, that Wilkie Clark started building his army of civil rights soldiers. In later years, each would help him gain credibility as he delivered his forceful message to the black communities of Randolph County.

We hope you enjoy them!

Wilkie Clark

Mrs. Hattie Lee (Peters) Clark

Mr. and Mrs. Wilkie Clark, as a very young couple. They married May 1, 1948. This photograph was probably taken sometime in the 1940s. The date is uncertain.

Wilkie Clark standing in front of his home on Riley Street in Roanoke

Wilkie Clark sitting behind his desk at Clark Funeral Home. He often spoke about how good it felt for him to be able to sit behind his own desk. For a black man living during this time period, few black men had what -- at that time could be considered -- "a desk job." More importantly, he NEVER took this for granted. He was just always appreciative of the opportunity.

Mrs. Clark school picture, after desegregation

Charlotte A. Clark-Frieson, with her daddy.

Wilkie Clark, Reverend Alford N. Hill, Mrs. Ella Lee Hill

Reverend John C. Greathouse

Wilkie Clark, Reverend Alford N. Hill, Mrs. Ella Lee Hill

Mrs. Lillie Thornton

Wilkie Clark and his cousin, Lillie Thornton. This was his cousin on his mother's side of the family. His mother, and Lillie Mae's father were siblings. They all grew up together on the Baker homestead in a community known as "Springfield." They remained very close throughout life. She was a licensed Cosmetologist, and worked at the funreal home until she was no longer physically able. She also worked with the NAACP, helping with membership and anything else she could do.

Mrs. Lillie Thornton

(Cousin) Lillie Thornton

Mrs. Mamie Higgins

Bishop Lathonia J. WRight

Charlie Hairston

Bishop Lathonia J. Wright

Reverend Samuel E. Dunson, and Mr. Wyatt E. Staples

Mr. John Ceroy Bell

First Ambulance: Struggling to bring some dignity to black life in Randolph County, the Clark's business plan included an Emergency Ambulance Service in hopes that we would no longer be forced to witness so many unnecessary deaths in our community, merely because privately owned ambulance services would not respond to black calls. People all over town marveled at his siren, and bubble on top of his Ambulance. It was probably the loudest in town.

Reverend Myris Bell

Reverend Alford N. Hill

Mr. Walter Whitlow

Jimmy Lee Hopper was a young man who "showed up" at the Clark house one morning out of the blue. He was not a native to Roanoke. He told us that he was from Humboldt, Tennessee. We never knew much about his family origins other than that he had previously worked at the funeral home in Humboldt. This was the only work he knew how to do. He remained with Clark until his death.

Wilkie Clark